"I have read in my school geography that there are tigers of some sort,--jaguars, or ounces, I think they are called,--but there are no--" Martin's speech was cut short by a terrific roar, which rang through the woods, and the next instant a magnificent jaguar, or South American tiger, bounded on to the track a few yards in advance, and, wheeling round, glared fiercely at the travellers.

It seemed, in the uncertain light, as if his eyes were two balls of living fire.

Though not so large as the royal Bengal tiger of India, this animal was nevertheless of immense size, and had a very ferocious aspect.

His roar was so sudden and awful, and his appearance so unexpected, that the blood was sent thrilling back into the hearts of the travellers, who stood rooted to the spot, absolutely unable to move.

This was the first large animal of the cat kind that either of them had seen in all the terrible majesty of its wild condition; and, for the first time, Martin and his friend felt that awful sensation of dread that will assail even the bravest heart when a new species of imminent danger is suddenly presented.